By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Mattel and Netflix have announced the development of a licensed Masters of the Universe live-action motion picture.
The film is slated to begin production in the summer of 2022. The Nee brothers will co-direct from a screenplay co-written with David Callaham, while rising star Kyle Allen will star as Prince Adam and his alter-ego, He-Man.
“Masters of the Universe is an iconic property that shaped the imaginations of an entire generation of kids in the eighties with the message of becoming the best version of yourself,” said Robbie Brenner, executive producer of Mattel Films.
“With our partners at Netflix, we look forward to showing audiences that anything can happen in Eternia. We are continuing to unlock this global franchise in new ways, and we can’t wait to see Kyle battle it out with Skeletor in this epic live-action saga.”
Brenner and Kevin McKeon will lead the project for Mattel Films. Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch and DeVon Franklin will produce.
“We’ve always been inspired by the fantastical world of Eternia,” said the producers in a statement. “This movie has been 14 years in the making for us and our partners and we are so excited to tell an entirely new story for Masters of the Universe with the Nee Brothers and Dave Callaham for Mattel and Netflix and share it with a global audience.”
Since its creation, the Masters of the Universe franchise has become a cultural phenomenon spanning toys, television, film, comics, books, and video games.
Masters of the Universe was first introduced to the world in 1982 through a line of action figures. In 1983, the animated series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe premiered and became one of the first kids’ shows to be syndicated on television.
Now, more than 30 years later, Mattel is bringing Masters of the Universe back for long-standing fans and to introduce a new generation to the adventures of the Guardians of Grayskull.
Last summer, Mattel and Netflix partnered to bring Eternia back to screens in two series.
Masters of the Universe: Revelation is a continuation of the classic storyline from the 1980s. The series featured an all-star voice cast including Mark Hamill, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lena Headey, Chris Wood, and more. Netflix also launched He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, a CG-animated series which reimagined the adventures of the Guardians of Grayskull for the next generation of fans.
Netflix Opening Online Store to Sell Licensed Merch From Hit Shows